Cartridge for containing recording medium

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for encasing optical discs of different diameters and thus permitting to load bare optical discs of different diameters into a disc cartridge-dedicated recorder/player. It includes a cartridge body ( 2 ) formed from an upper shell ( 6 ) having formed therein an insertion/removal opening ( 2   a ) for a first optical disc ( 3   a ) and a lower shell ( 7 ) having a write/read opening ( 24 ) formed therein, the upper and lower shells ( 6, 7 ) being butted to each other, a middle shell ( 4 ) having formed in the main side thereof an opening ( 44 ) corresponding to the opening ( 24 ) and which is rotatably received in the cartridge body ( 2 ), and a pair of shutter members ( 5   a,    5   b ) installed on the middle shell ( 4 ) at the side of the lower shell ( 7 ) and which uncovers the openings ( 24, 44 ) when the middle shell ( 4 ) rotates until the openings ( 24, 44 ) are aligned with each other. A disc receptacle ( 11   a ) is formed to have a disc holder ( 11   b ) in which the first optical disc ( 3   a ) is rotatably held and a disc holder ( 11   c ) in which a smaller-diameter second optical disc ( 3   c ) is rotatably held.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for encasing any ofdiscs of different diameters as information signal recording medium andpermitting to load the recording medium encased therein into a discrecorder and/or player.

[0002] This application claims the priority of the Japanese PatentApplication Nos. 2001-339968 and 2001-339969 both filed on Nov. 5, 2001,the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] As a recording medium for information signal, there have widelybeen used optical discs to or from which information signal is opticallywritten or read by a light beam. If an optical disc of this type hasforeign matter such as dust, fingerprint or the like adherent to thesignal recording surface thereof, missing of information signal willpossibly be caused during recording or playback of the optical disc andthus the information signal cannot be recorded or reproduced accurately.

[0004] To prevent adhesion to the signal recording surface of suchforeign matter like dust which will possibly cause such missing of theinformation signal, the optical disc is usually encased in a cartridgefor use as a disc cartridge.

[0005] Generally, a disc cartridge is a cartridge having an optical discpre-encased therein. The optical disc is rotatably held in thecartridge. The cartridge has formed therein a write/read opening throughwhich a part of the optical disc held therein is exposed to outside. Awrite/read head faces the optical disc thus held in the cartridgethrough the write/read opening to write or read information signal to orfrom the optical disc. The write/read opening formed in the cartridge iscovered with a pair of shutter members movably installed on thecartridge at least when the disc cartridge is not used, namely, when itis not loaded in any recorder and/or player.

[0006] By covering the write/read opening in the optical disc encasingcartridge with the pair of shutter members, it is possible to preventdust or the like from entering the cartridge and adhering to the signalrecording surface of the optical disc.

[0007] Optical discs used as information signal recording media includebare ones, namely, ones not encased in any cartridge, and loadable in arecorder and/or player for write or read of information signal theretoor therefrom.

[0008] However, for loading such a bare optical disc into a recorderand/or player dedicated for a disc cartridge, a cartridge is required toencase the optical disc therein for loading into such a disccartridge-dedicated recorder and/or player.

[0009] In the meantime, the optical discs not encased in any cartridgeor similar casing and loadable in a recorder and/or player include oneshaving information signal recorded therein in a common format butdifferent in diameter from each other. Such optical discs include twotypes: one is of 12 cm in diameter (standard size) and the other is of asmaller diameter than the first one, 8 cm for example. For use of suchoptical discs not encased in any cartridge and different in diameterfrom each other for playing by a disc cartridge-dedicated recorderand/or player, cartridges may be prepared for loading into such arecorder and/or player to encase the optical discs of differentdiameters, respectively. Namely, each of the optical discs may be put ina corresponding one of the cartridges before loading into the recorderand/or player.

[0010] However, the preparation of such a cartridge for each of theoptical discs of different diameters will add to the number of cartridgetypes, difficulty of cartridge management and also to the costs ofmanufacturing the cartridges.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks of the related art by providing a cartridgepermitting to easily load a recording medium normally used, not encasedin any cartridge or the like, into a recorder and/or player dedicatedfor a recording medium pre-encased in a cartridge.

[0012] The present invention has another object to provide a cartridgefor selectively encasing either of first and second recording media ofdifferent diameters for loading into a recorder and/or player dedicatedfor a recording medium pre-encased in a cartridge.

[0013] The present invention has still another object to provide acartridge capable of securely holding an information recording medium tobe selectively loaded into a recorder and/or player.

[0014] The present invention has yet another object to provide acartridge permitting to easily load, into a recorder and/or playerdesigned for use with a first information recording medium of a standardsize, a second information recording medium of a smaller diameter thanthe first information recording medium.

[0015] The present invention has still another object to provide acartridge capable of positively protecting a recording medium onceloaded in a recorder and/or player.

[0016] The present invention has yet still another object to provide acartridge easy to assemble, which can encase a recording mediumremovably, and which can be manufactured through almost same productionand assembling steps as for a cartridge having a recording mediumpre-encased therein.

[0017] The above object can be attained by providing a cartridge forencasing either of a first recording medium and a second recordingmedium different in diameter from the first recording medium, thecartridge including according to the present invention, a cartridge bodyconsisting of an upper shell and lower shell, butted to each other, theupper shell having formed in the main side thereof an insertion/removalopening somewhat larger than the first recording medium and throughwhich the first and second recording media are to be inserted and/orremoved and the lower shell having a first opening formed therein, amiddle shell having the main side thereof exposed to outside through theinsertion/removal opening in the upper shell of the cartridge body,defining together with the insertion/removal opening a recording mediumreceptacle which selectively receives the first and second recordingmedia, having formed therein a second opening corresponding to the firstopening in the lower shell of the cartridge body and which is rotatablyreceived in the cartridge body, and a pair of shutter members installedto the middle shell at the side of the lower shell side and whichuncovers the first and second openings when the middle shell rotatesuntil the first and second openings are aligned with each other. Therecording medium receptacle includes a first recording medium holder inwhich the first recording medium is rotatably held and a secondrecording medium holder in which the second recording medium isrotatably held, and the first and second recording medium holders areprovided concentrically with each other. That is, the cartridge, havingreceived therein a user's desired one of recording media different indiameter from each other through the insertion/removal opening, isloaded into a recorder and/or player. Since this cartridge is formed tohave a similar construction including a pair of shutter members, exceptfor the insertion/removal opening formed in the upper shell andrecording medium holders formed on the middle shell for recording mediaof different diameters, to a cartridge having a recording mediumpre-encased therein (will be referred to as “recording-medium cartridge”hereunder wherever appropriate) and of which the recording medium onceencased therein cannot be replaced with another, so it can be loadedinto a recorder and/or player dedicated for the recording-mediumcartridge.

[0018] Note that the first recording medium holder is provided on themain side of the middle shell while the second recording medium holderis provided in a lower position than the first recording medium holder.For example, the second recording medium holder is defined by a thirdopening somewhat larger than the second recording medium and throughwhich the pair of shutter members provided on the main side of themiddle shell is exposed to outside, and a concavity formed on the mainside of the middle shell, somewhat larger than the second recordingmedium and of which the depth is smaller than its surrounding.

[0019] The cartridge according to the present invention may havecome-off preventive mechanisms provided around the insertion/removalopening to prevent the recording medium received in the recording mediumreceptacle through the insertion/removal opening from coming off. Forexample, each of the come-off preventive mechanism is composed of aninsertion guide to guide the first recording medium being inserted intothe first recording medium holder and a come-off preventive piece toprevent the first recording medium held in the first recording mediumholder from coming off. The come-off preventive mechanism is formedintegrally on contact with elastically flexible pieces which areelastically moved radially of the recording medium receptacle. Thecome-off preventive mechanism may be provided in a plurality of placesaround the insertion/removal opening to positively hold the firstrecording medium in the first recording medium holder.

[0020] The come-off preventive mechanisms in the above cartridgeaccording to the present invention may be as will be described below.That is, each of the come-off preventive mechanisms includes a come-offpreventive member to prevent the first recording medium held in thefirst recording medium holder from coming off. This come-off preventivemember is received in a receiver formed in the wall of theinsertion/removal opening in the upper shell. The come-off preventivemember includes a come-off preventive piece to prevent the firstrecording medium held in the first recording medium holder from comingoff, elastically flexible pieces each having an engagement portionformed at one end thereof, and an operating piece to move the come-offpreventive mechanism between a come-off preventive position where thecome-off preventive mechanism is to prevent the first recording mediumheld in the first recording medium from coming off and an accessposition in which the first recording medium is to be inserted and/orremoved. Correspondingly, the receiver includes a first engagementconcavity in which the engagement portion is engaged when the come-offpreventive mechanism holds the come-off preventive member in thecome-off preventive position, and a second engagement concavity in whichthe engagement portion is engaged when the come-off preventive mechanismholds the come-off preventive member in the access position. Thecome-off preventive mechanism may be provided in a plurality of placesin order to prevent the first recording medium from being caused by awrong operation to run off the first recording medium holder.

[0021] Further, the above cartridge according to the present inventionmay be provided with a cover as a come-off preventive means to uncoverand cover the insertion/removal opening. Also, the cartridge may beprovided with a locking mechanism to lock the cover in closed position.The locking mechanism has a cover operating member disposed in thereceiver formed in the wall of the insertion/removal opening in theupper shell. The cover operating member includes a first elasticallyflexible piece having provided at an end thereof a locking portion whichis engaged on the engagement piece on the cover, a second elasticallyflexible piece having an engagement portion provided at an end thereof,and an operating portion which moves the cover operating member betweena locking position in which the locking portion is engaged on theengagement piece and an unlocking position in which the locking portionis not disengaged on the engagement piece. Correspondingly, the receiverincludes a first engagement concavity in which the engagement portion isto be engaged when the cover operating member is held in the lockingposition, and a second engagement concavity in which the engagementportion is to be engaged when the cover operating member is held in theunlocking position. The locking mechanism may be provided in a pluralityof places around the insertion/removal opening in order to prevent thecover from being unlocked by a wrong operation, the cover from openingthe insertion/removal opening and thus the recording medium held in therecording medium holder from coming off.

[0022] Also the above object can be attained by providing a cartridgefor encasing a recording medium smaller in diameter than a recordingmedium of a standard size, the cartridge including according to thepresent invention, a cartridge body consisting of an upper shell andlower shell, butted to each other, the upper shell having formed in themain side thereof an insertion/removal opening through which a smallrecording medium larger than at least the small-diameter recordingmedium is inserted and/or removed and the lower shell having a firstopening formed therein, a middle shell having the main side thereofexposed to outside through the insertion/removal opening in the uppershell, having a second opening formed in the main side thereofcorrespondingly to the first opening in the lower shell and which isrotatably received in the cartridge body, and a pair of shutter membersinstalled to the middle shell at the side of the lower shell side andwhich uncovers the first and second openings when the middle shellrotates until the first and second openings are aligned with each other.The cartridge has provided in the main side of the middle shell arecording medium holder in which a small recording medium is rotatablyheld. That is, the cartridge, having received therein a user's desiredsmall recording media put in the recording medium holder, is loaded intoa recorder and/or player. Since this cartridge is formed to have asimilar construction including a pair of shutter members, except for theinsertion/removal opening formed in the upper shell and recording mediumholder formed on the middle shell for a small recording medium, to acartridge having a recording medium pre-encased therein (will bereferred to as “recording-medium cartridge” hereunder whereverappropriate) and of which the recording medium once encased thereincannot be replaced with another, so it can be loaded into a recorderand/or player dedicated for the recording-medium cartridge.

[0023] Any other cartridge than the above according to the presentinvention may be provided around the recording medium holder thereofwith a come-off preventive mechanism to prevent a small recording mediumheld in the recording medium holder from coming off. For example, thecome-off preventive mechanism is composed of a recording mediuminsertion guide to guide a recording medium being inserted into therecording medium holder and a come-off preventive mechanism to preventthe recording medium held in the recording medium holder from comingoff. The come-off preventive mechanism is formed integrally on contactwith elastically flexible pieces which are elastically moved radially ofthe recording medium receptacle. The come-off preventive mechanism maybe provided in a plurality of places around the recording medium holder.

[0024] These objects and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the present invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from the upper shell, of thecartridge according to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge shown inFIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, from the lower shell, of thecartridge shown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the upper shell of thecartridge shown in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inside of the lower shell of thecartridge shown in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inner rotor.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view, from another direction, of the innerrotor.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inner rotor in a position where itcovers the opening in the lower shell.

[0033]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the inner rotor in a position where ituncovers the opening in the lower shell.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a perspective view, from the upper shell, of the pairof shutter members.

[0035]FIG. 11 is a perspective view, from the lower shell, of the pairof shutter members.

[0036]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pair of shutter members in aposition where it uncovers the opening in the inner rotor.

[0037]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pair of shutter members in aposition where it covers the opening in the inner rotor.

[0038]FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the cartridge in which the firstoptical disc of the standard size is held in the first disc holder.

[0039]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the cartridge in which the secondoptical disc smaller in diameter than the first optical disc is held inthe second disc holder.

[0040]FIG. 16 is a plan view of the cartridge in which the pair ofshutter members covers the opening in the lower shell.

[0041]FIG. 17 is a segmentary sectional view of the cartridge, showingthat the lift-up projections of the inner rotor are engaged on those ofthe upper shell.

[0042]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a recorder/player for use withthe cartridge.

[0043]FIG. 19 is an explanatory perspective view of the loader providedin the disc recorder/player.

[0044]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the shutter releasing member.

[0045]FIG. 21 is a plan view of the pair of shutter members beinginitially released.

[0046]FIG. 22 is a segmentary sectional view of the cartridge, showingthat the lift-up projections of the inner rotor are disengaged fromthose of the upper shell.

[0047]FIG. 23 is a plan view of the pair of shutter members with therack of the shutter releasing member being engaged with the gear of theinner rotor.

[0048]FIG. 24 is a plan view of the pair of shutter members in processof uncovering the opening.

[0049]FIG. 25 is a plan view of the pair of shutter members having fullyuncovered the opening.

[0050]FIG. 26 is a plan view of the cartridge with the optical disccome-off preventive mechanisms provided around the optical discinsertion/removal opening.

[0051]FIG. 27 is a segmentary plan view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0052]FIG. 28 is a segmentary sectional view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0053]FIG. 29 is a plan view of the cartridge with the optical disccome-off preventive mechanisms provided around the optical discinsertion/removal opening.

[0054]FIG. 30 is a segmentary plan view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0055]FIG. 31 is a segmentary sectional view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0056]FIG. 32 is a plan view of the cartridge provided with a cover.

[0057]FIG. 33 is a side elevation of the cartridge with the optical discinsertion/removal opening being uncovered with the cover opened.

[0058]FIG. 34 is a segmentary plan view of the locking mechanism in aposition where it locks the cover.

[0059]FIG. 35 is a segmentary plan view of the locking mechanism in aposition where it unlocks the cover.

[0060]FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of thecartridge according to the present invention.

[0061]FIG. 37 is a perspective view, from below, of the cartridge inFIG. 36.

[0062]FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the cartridge in FIG. 36 with thepair of shutter members being released to uncover the opening.

[0063]FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a variant of the inner rotor.

[0064]FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the cartridge in FIG. 36, in whichthe first optical disc of the standard size is held in the first discholder.

[0065]FIG. 41 is a sectional view of the cartridge in FIG. 36, in whichthe second optical disc smaller in diameter than the first optical discis held in the second disc holder.

[0066]FIG. 42 is a plan view of the cartridge in FIG. 36 with theoptical disc come-off preventive mechanisms provided around of thesecond disc holder.

[0067]FIG. 43 is a segmentary plan view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0068]FIG. 44 is a segmentary sectional view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0069]FIG. 45 is a plan view of the cartridge with the optical disccome-off preventive mechanisms provided around the second disc holder.

[0070]FIG. 46 is a segmentary plan view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

[0071]FIG. 47 is a segmentary sectional view of the come-off preventivemechanism.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0072] The cartridge according to the present invention will beexplained herebelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] The cartridge according to the present invention is generallyindicated with a reference 1 through FIGS. 1 to 35. It is used as acaddy for encasing an optical disc therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,the cartridge 1 includes a cartridge body 2 consisting of a pair ofshells, upper and lower, 6 and 7, combinable with each other. Thecontainer body 2 incorporates an inner rotor 4 serving as a middleshell, and a pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b. First and secondoptical discs 3 a and 3 c of different diameters are selectivelyinserted into or removed from the cartridge 1.

[0074] A selected one of the first optical disc 3 a having a diameter of120 mm for example and the second optical disc 3 c having a diameter of80 mm is held in the cartridge 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the opticaldiscs 3 a and 3 c has formed in the center thereof a central hole 3 b or3 d in which the disc rotation drive mechanism of a disc recorder/playeris to be engaged. It should be noted that the recording medium may bemagneto-optical disc, magnetic disc or the like in addition to theoptical disc. Also, the recording medium may be a read-only opticaldisc. Further, the recording medium is not limited to a disc-shaped onebut may be a card-shaped one.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper shell 6 is formed by injectionmolding of a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) for example. The upper shell 6 is formed to havea generally rectangular shape of which the front end which will be firstinserted into the recorder/player is shaped like a generally circulararc. The upper shell 6 has formed integrally therewith an outer wall 8protruding from the perimeter of the main side and which defines thelateral face of the cartridge body 2.

[0076] The outer wall 8 has formed, by cutting, in the front centerthereof a first pickup access opening 9 into which the optical pickup ofthe recorder/player 70 can be brought. Also, the outer wall 8 hasformed, by cutting, in the rear center thereof a positioning concavity10 with reference to which the upper shell 6 is positioned in relationto the lower shell 7. Further, the upper shell 6 has formed therein adisc insertion/removal circular opening 2 a whose wall 11 is inscribedin the outer wall 8. The wall 11 of the insertion/removal opening 2 a(will be referred to as “opening wall” hereunder) defines a discreceptacle in which the optical disc 3 a or 3 c is rotatably held. Theopening wall 11 has formed, by cutting, in the front center thereof asecond pickup access opening 12 into which the optical pickup 75 of therecorder/player 70 which will be described in detail later is to bebrought. As shown in FIG. 14, the opening wall 11 defines together withthe main side of an inner rotor 4 which will be described in detaillater a disc receptacle 11 a in which the optical disc 3 a or 3 c isrotatably held.

[0077] Between the opening wall 11 and outer wall 8, there is formed arising wall to surround the opening wall 11. The opening wall 11 andrising wall define together a generally circular guide recess 13 inwhich the inner rotor 4 is rotatably engaged. The guide recess 13 hasformed on the bottom thereof in the front center and rear center a pairof lift-up projections 14 which will move the inner rotor 4 away fromthe upper shell 6.

[0078] As shown, the upper shell 6 has four corners 6 a, 6 b, 6 c and 6d. Of these corners, one front corner 6 a forms a locking memberreceiver in which a locking member to lock the shutter members 5 a and 5b is received. At the remaining corners 6 b, 6 c and 6 d, there areformed rising upper corner walls 15, respectively, which prevent dustfrom entering the cartridge inside. Each of the upper corner walls 15 isdefined between the outer wall 8 and guide recess 13. A first recess 16is formed between each upper corner wall 15 and outer wall 8, and asecond recess 17 is defined between the upper corner wall 15 and guiderecess 13.

[0079] The upper shell 6 has formed at the rear corner 6 c thereof anupper rising wall 18 defining a write protection member receiver inwhich a write protection member is held. A third recess 19 is definedbetween the upper rising wall 18 and upper corner wall 15.

[0080] The upper shell 6 has formed near each of the corners 6 a, 6 b, 6c and 6 d thereof a coupling boss 20 for coupling to the lower shell 7.Each of the coupling boss 20 has formed in the center thereof a screwinghole.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the upper shell 6 has formedtherein the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a for replacement of theoptical disc 3 a or 3 c held in the disc receptacle 11 a. For smoothinsertion or removal of the first optical disc 3 a having the largerdiameter, the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a is formed to have alittle larger diameter than the diameter of the first optical disc 3 a.More specifically, the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a is defined bythe opening wall 11 of the upper shell 6.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the lower shell 7 to be coupled tothe upper shell 6 constructed as having been described above is formedby injection molding of a thermoplastic synthetic resin such asacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for example similarly to theaforementioned upper shell 6. The lower shell 7 is formed to have agenerally rectangular shape whose front end which will first be insertedinto the recorder/player is formed to have a generally circular arcshape. The lower shell 7 has formed integrally therewith an outer wall21 protruding from the perimeter of the main side and which also definesthe lateral face of the cartridge body 2.

[0083] The outer wall 21 has formed at the rear side thereof apositioning wall 22 which is engaged in the aforementioned positioningconcavity 10 of the upper shell 6 to align the upper and lower shells 6and 7 with each other. Also, the outer wall 21 has formed at the rearside thereof a dustproof wall 23 which is engaged in the first recess 16of the upper shell 6 to prevent dust or the like from entering thecartridge from between the upper and lower shells 6 and 7.

[0084] The lower shell 7 has formed in the front center of the outerwall 21 an opening 24 into which the optical pickup and disc table canbe brought. The opening 24 is defined by a generally rectangularwrite/read opening 24 a through which the signal recording surface ofthe optical disc 3 a or 3 c is partially exposed to outside in a rangefrom the front open end to the inner circumference of the disc, and adisc rotation drive opening 24 b contiguous to the write/read opening 24a and through which the central hole 3 b or 3 d in the optical disc 3 aor 3 c is exposed to outside. More specifically, the write/read opening24 a is formed to have sufficient dimensions to bring the optical pickupof the recorder/player to a depth of the cartridge body 2, and the discrotation drive opening 24 b is formed to have sufficient dimensions tobring the disc table include in the disc rotation drive mechanism of therecorder/player 70 can be brought to a depth of the cartridge body 2.

[0085] The lower shell 7 has four corners 7 a, 7 b, 7 c and 7 d. At onefront corner 7 a of these corners, forming the locking member receiver,there is formed a projecting pivot 25 to support the locking member 29pivotably. At the comers 7 b, 7 c and 7 d except for the front corner 7a, there are formed generally arc-shaped lower corner walls 26,respectively, which are to be engaged in the second recesses 17,respectively, at the aforementioned upper shell 6. Further, at one rearcorner 7 c, there is formed a rising lower wall 27 which is to beengaged in the third recess 19 at the upper shell 6. The lower shell 7has formed thereon a generally cylindrical coupling cap 28 which is tobe fitted on the coupling boss 20 at the upper shell 6. The coupling cap28 has formed in the center thereof a through-hole through which a setscrew is penetrated.

[0086] For coupling the upper and lower shells 6 and 7 to each other,the positioning wall 22 at the lower shell 7 is engaged in thepositioning concavity 10 at the upper shell 6, the coupling cap 28 atthe lower shell 7 is fitted on the coupling boss 20 at the upper shell6, and the dustproof wall 23, lower corner wall 26 and rising lower wall27 at the lower shell 7 are engaged in the first, second and thirdrecesses 16, 17 and 19, respectively, at the upper shell 6. A set screwis screwed into the screw hole in the coupling boss 20 through thethrough-hole in the coupling cap 28.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 14, when the upper and lower shells 6 and 7 aresuperposed on each other, the cartridge body 2 will have defined by theopening wall 11 and main side of the inner rotor 4 the disc receptacle11 a almost inscribing the perimeter of the cartridge body 2 and inwhich the optical disc is held, also defined at one front corner thereofthe locking member receiver in which the locking member 29 is pivotablyheld, and further defined at one rear corner thereof the receiver inwhich a write protection member 30 is slidably held.

[0088] When the inner rotor 4 is in a position where it covers theopening 24 in the cartridge body 2, the locking member 29 locks theinner rotor 4 against rotation. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking member29 includes an engagement hole 31 in which the pivot 25 of the lowershell 7 is rotatably engaged, an operating piece 32 extending from theengagement hole 31 toward one lateral side of the cartridge body 2, astop piece 33 extending from the engagement hole 31 toward the discreceptacle 11 a, and an elastically flexible piece 34 extending from theengagement hole 31 toward the front inner wall of the cartridge body 2.The operating piece 32 has provided at the end thereof an operatingprojection 32 a projected to outside through a locking opening 35 aformed in one lateral side of the cartridge body 2. The stop piece 33has provided at the end thereof a stop projection 33 a sliding on a ringportion 43 of the inner rotor 4. The elastically flexible piece 34abuts, in an elastically deformed shape, the front inner side of thecartridge body 2. Therefore, the elastically flexible piece 34 forces,by its elasticity, the opening projection 32 a of the operating piece 32in a direction of projecting out of the locking opening 35 a, and thestop projection 33 a of the stop piece 33 in a direction of abutting thering portion 43 of the inner rotor 4 and engagement into a secondengagement concavity 42 of the inner rotor 4. When the operatingprojection 32 a of the operating piece 32 of the locking member 29 ispressed, the stop piece 33 is moved away from the ring portion 43 of theinner rotor 4 against the elasticity of the elastically flexible piece34 and the stop projection 33 a is disengaged from the second engagementconcavity 42.

[0089] The write protection member 30 is exposed at an operating piecethereof to outside through a through-hole 30 a formed at the back of thecartridge body 2. The operating piece can be moved along the back of thecartridge body 2 between a “writing possible” position where it uncoversan access hole and a “data protected” position where it covers theaccess hole.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge body 2 has a guide recess 36formed on one lateral side thereof in an intermediate position betweenthe front and back of the cartridge body 2. This guide recess 36 isprovided to prevent the cartridge 1 from being inserted incorrectly intothe recorder/player. In the bottom of the guide recess 36, there areformed a locking opening 35 a through which the aforementioned operatingprojection 32 a of the locking member 29 is projected to outside and aninner rotor access opening 35 b through which the inner rotor 4 isexposed partially at the perimeter thereof to outside. As shown in FIG.3, in the bottom of the cartridge body 2, formed by the lower shell 7,there is formed a plurality of positioning concavities 38 to positionthe cartridge 1 when loaded in the recorder/player 70. Also, on eitherlateral side of the cartridge body 2, there is formed a plurality ofcuts 39 in which there will be engaged a loading arm to pull thecartridge 1 yet in the recorder/player 70 into place.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner rotor 4 is formed byinjection molding of a thermoplastic synthetic resin such aspolyoxymethylene (POM) for example. When the inner rotor 4 is placedinside the cartridge body 2, it will define the disc receptacle 11 a bythe main side thereof, opening wall 11 of the upper shell 6 and the mainside of each of the shutter members 5 a and 5 b exposed to outsidethrough an opening 44 a formed in the center thereof as shown in FIG.14.

[0092] The inner rotor 4 is formed to have a generally circular shapewhose perimeter is formed as the ring portion 43 which is engaged in theaforementioned guide recess 13 of the upper shell 6. With the ringportion 43 engaged in the guide recess 13 of the upper shell 6, theinner rotor 4 is rotatably supported by the cartridge body 2. The innerrotor 4 has also an opening 44 formed in the main side thereof. Theopening 44 is a second opening and is generally the same in dimensionsas the opening 24, as the first opening, in the lower shell 7. The innerrotor 4 has formed in the main side thereof a generally circular opening44 a contiguous to the opening 44 and which holds the second opticaldisc 3 c smaller in diameter than the first optical disc 3 a. Theopening 44 a as a third opening is formed to have a somewhat larger sizethan that of the second optical disc 3 c for smooth insertion andremoval of the latter. Also a portion of the ring portion 43,corresponding to the opening 44, is formed from a coupling 43 a. Theopenings 44 and 44 a are uncovered and covered with the pair of shuttermembers 5 a and 5 b.

[0093] As shown, the ring portion 43 has formed on the outer peripherythereof a geared portion 45 which rotates the inner rotor 4. The gearportion 45 extends between a position where the inner rotor 4 is exposedpartially at the perimeter thereof to outside through the front portionof the inner rotor access opening 35 b when it covers the opening 24 inthe lower shell 7 as shown in FIG. 8, and a position where the innerrotor 4 is exposed partially at the perimeter thereof to outside throughthe rear portion of the inner rotor access opening 35 b when it uncoversthe opening 24 in the lower shell 7 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0094] Also, the inner rotor 4 has formed on the outer periphery thereofat one side of the geared portion 45 a first engagement concavity 41 inwhich a first engagement projection of a shutter releasing memberincluded in a shutter release mechanism at the recorder/player, and atthe other side of the geared portion 45 a second engagement concavity 42in which a second engagement projection of the shutter releasing memberis engaged. These engagement concavities 41 and 42 are exposed alongwith the geared portion 45 to outside through the inner rotor accessopening 35 b. When the cartridge 1 is loaded into the recorder/player,the first engagement concavity 41 has first engaged therein the firstengagement projection of the shutter releasing member. When the pair ofshutter members 5 a and 5 b is in the closed position, the secondengagement concavity 42 has engaged therein the stop projections 33 a ofthe locking member 29. When the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 bmoved to the position where it uncovers the openings 24 and 44, thesecond engagement concavity 42 will receive the second engagementprojection of the shutter releasing member.

[0095] The ring portion 43 has a pair of rotation limiting projections46 a and 46 b formed spaced a predetermined interval on the outerperiphery thereof to limit the rotation of the inner rotor 4. On theother hand, the upper shell 6 has formed between the guide recess 13 andupper corner wall 15 a pair of limiters 47 a and 47 b which abut thepair of inner-rotor rotation limiting projections 46 a and 46 b,respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, when the inner rotor 4 rotates in adirection of uncovering the opening 24, one of the rotation limitingprojections (46 a) engages on one of the pair of limiters (47 a) toprevent a further rotation of the inner rotor 4. When the inner rotor 4is thus limited from rotating in this direction, it is in a positionwhere it uncovers the opening 24 and the opening 44 in the inner rotor 4is nearly aligned with the opening 24 in the cartridge body 2. On theother hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the inner rotor 4 rotates in adirection of covering the opening 24, the other inner-rotor rotationlimiting projection 46 b engages on the other limiter 47 b to prevent afurther rotation of the inner rotor 4. When the inner rotor 4 is limitedagainst rotation in this direction, it is in a position where it coversthe opening 24 and the opening 44 in the inner rotor 4 is most inclinedin relation to the opening 24 of the cartridge body 2.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ring portion 43 has formed thereona pair of lift-up projections 48 which slide on the aforementioned pairof lift-up projections 14 formed on the bottom of the guide recess 13.When the inner rotor 4 is close to the position where it covers theopening 24, the lift-up projections 48 slide onto the lift-upprojections 14, respectively, in the guide recess 13 and thus lift upthe inner rotor 4 away from the upper shell 6.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the inner rotor 4 has formed on themain side thereof opposite to that on which the ring portions 43 areformed a pair of projecting pivots 49 a and 49 b which support the pairof shutter members 5 a and 5 b rotatably. The pair of pivots 49 a and 49b is located in positions, respectively, symmetrical with the center ofthe inner rotor 4, that is, with a phase difference of 180 deg. fromeach other.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the shutter members 5 a and 5 bplaced on the above inner rotor 4 to cover and uncover the openings 44and 44 a in the inner rotor 4 have symmetrical shapes and are installedon the pair of pivots 49 a and 49 b, respectively, of the inner rotor 4to be pivotable with a phase difference of 180 deg. between them.

[0099] Similarly to the inner rotor 4, the shutter members 5 a and 5 bare formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic synthetic resin suchas polyoxymethylene (POM) for example. Each of the shutter members 5 aand 5 b is formed to have a generally meniscal shape whose base portionhas formed therein an engagement hole 50 a or 50 b in which theaforementioned pivot 49 a or 49 b of the inner rotor 4 is pivotablyengaged.

[0100] Each of the shutter members 5 a and 5 b has formed on thestring-like butting face thereof a first engagement potion 51 extendingfrom the central portion toward the base and a second engagement portion52 extending from the central portion toward the free end. The firstengagement portion 51 is beveled at the side of the lower shell 7, whilethe second engagement portion 52 is beveled at the side of the uppershell 6. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the shutter members 5 a and 5 b inpair are pivoted about the pivots 49 a and 49 b, respectively, on theinner rotor 4 toward or away from each other, the first engagementportion 51 of one of the shutter members (5 a) engages on the secondengagement portion 52 of the other shutter member 5 b, while the firstengagement portion 51 of the other shutter member 5 b engages on thesecond engagement portion 52 of the one shutter member 5 a.

[0101] Each of the shutter members 5 a and 5 b has formed therein aguide slot 54 in which one of a pair of guide pins 53 formed on theinner surface of the lower shell 7 shown in FIG. 7. The guide slot 54extends over a predetermined length from the midpoint of the string-likebutting face toward the engagement hole 50 a or 50 b such that theshutter member 5 a or 5 b can be turned between the covered anduncovered positions of the openings 44 and 44 a. At the end of the guideslot 54 near the outer perimeter of the inner rotor 4, there are formedan engagement hole 55 and an elastic pushing piece 56. When the shuttermember 5 a or 5 b is in the covered position thereof, the guide pin 53of the lower shell 7 will be engaged in the engagement hole 55 and atthe same time the elastic pushing piece 56 will push the guide pin 53engaged in the engagement hole 55.

[0102] Note that as shown in FIG. 5, a dustproof rib 57 is formed allaround the opening 24 in the lower shell 7 as well as along extensionsof lateral edges of the opening 24 to prevent dust or the like fromentering the cartridge 1. The dustproof rib 57 includes auxiliary ribs57 a, 57 b, 57 c and 57 d whose end portions joining the outer wall 21of the lower shell 7 are as high as the outer wall 21. When the shuttermembers 5 a and 5 b cover the opening 44, the dustproof rib 57 isengaged in dustproof recesses 58 formed in the shutter members 5 a and 5b, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the inner rotor 4 has alsoformed in the vicinity of each of the pair of pivots 49 a and 49 bthereof a disengagement projection 59 which cancels the engagementbetween the dustproof rib 57 and dustproof recesses 58. Each of thesedisengagement projections 59 in pair is formed as generally high as thedustproof rib 57. When the shutter member 5 moved from the positionwhere it covers the opening 44 to the position where it uncovers theopening 44, the disengagement projection 59 cancels the engagementbetween the dustproof rib 57 and dustproof recesses 58.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each of the pair of shutter members5 a and 5 b has formed thereon a first engagement piece 60 a and secondengagement piece 60 b. When the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b isin the position where they cover the openings, the first engagementprojection 60 a engages on the auxiliary ribs 57 a and 57 c included inthe dustproof rib 57, while the second engagement projection 60 bengages on the other auxiliary ribs 57 b and 57 d. Each of the pair ofshutter members 5 a and 5 b has formed in the free end portion of thesecond engagement portion 52 thereof a cut 61 in which the auxiliaryribs 57 b and 57 d included in the dustproof rib 57 are engaged when thepair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b are in the position where theyuncover the openings.

[0104] The cartridge 1 constructed as having been described above isassembled as will be described below:

[0105] First, the upper shell 6 is placed with the inner surfacedirected upward, and then the ring portion 43 of the inner rotor 4 isengaged in the guide recess 13 of the upper shell 6. It should be notedthat the inner rotor 4 should be pre-positioned in relation to the uppershell 6 such that the opening 44 in the inner rotor 4 and the first andsecond pickup access openings 9 and 12 are aligned with each other.

[0106] Next, the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b is installed to theinner rotor 4. More specifically, with the pair of shutter members 5 aand 5 b being butted at the butting faces thereof to each other, thepivots 49 a and 49 b of the inner rotor 4 are engaged into theengagement holes 50 a and SOb. Thereby, the shutter members 5 a and 5 bin pair are installed to be pivotable about the pivots 49 a and 49 b,respectively, of the inner rotor 4. Also, the pair of shutter members 5a and 5 b is pre-positioned in relation to the inner rotor 4 so that thebutting faces of the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b come to theedges of the openings 44 and 44 a, respectively, in the inner rotor 4.Further, at the same time or before or after the pre-positioning, thepivot 25 on the lower shell 4 is inserted in the engagement hole 31 inthe locking member 29, the locking member 29 is installed, and also thewrite protection member 30 is disposed in position.

[0107] Next, the lower shell 7 is joined to the upper shell 6. Morespecifically, with the outer walls 8 and 21 of the upper and lowershells 6 and 7, respectively, being butted to each other, thepositioning wall 22 of the lower shell 7 is engaged in to thepositioning concavity 10 of the upper shell 6. Thus, the coupling cap 28at the lower shell 7 will be fitted on the coupling boss 20 at the uppershell 6. Also, the dustproof wall 23, lower corner wall 26 and risinglower wall 27 at the lower shell 7 will be engaged in the first, secondand third recesses 16, 17 and 19, respectively, at the upper shell 6.

[0108] The guide pin 53 at the lower shell 7 will be engaged in theguide slot 54 in each of the shutter members 5 a and 5 b. Bypre-positioning the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b in relation tothe inner rotor 4, the lower shell 7 and pair of shutter members 5 a and5 b can easily be positioned in relation to each other at this time. Theset screw is screwed into the screw hole in the coupling boss 20 throughthe through-hole in the coupling cap 28. Thus, the lower shell 7 isjoined to the upper shell 6 and thus the cartridge body 2 is formed. Atthis time, the inner rotor 4 and pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b arein their respective positions where they do not cover the openings 24and 44, respectively.

[0109] Next, the geared portion 45 is operated to rotate the inner rotor4 in a direction of covering the openings 24 and 44, whereby the pair ofshutter members 5 a and 5 b will cover the opening 24 in the cartridgebody 2. With the above operations, the cartridge 1 is completelyassembled. As seen from the foregoing explanation, it will be clear thatthe cartridge 1 according to the present invention uses a reduced numberof parts and can be assembled extremely easily. Since no spring is usedas a part, the cartridge 1 can easily be assembled. Since the cartridge1 is assembled following the same assembling procedure as for a disccartridge, it can manufactured in the disc cartridge assembling line.

[0110] Note that the lower shall 7 may be fixed to the upper shell 6 notonly with the aforementioned set screw, but the upper and lower shells 6and 7 may be joined integrally to each other with an adhesive,ultrasonic welding or the like.

[0111] The cartridge 1 constructed as having been described in theforegoing is in a state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 16. More particularly,with the stop projection 33 a of the locking member 29 being engaged inthe second engagement concavity 42 of the inner rotor 4, the pair ofshutter members 5 a and 5 b is locked in the position where they coverthe openings 24 and 44. At this time, the first engagement concavity 41of the inner rotor 4 is exposed to outside through the inner rotoraccess opening 35 b, and the opening projection 32 a of the lockingmember 29 is exposed to outside through the locking opening 35 a. Whenthe cartridge 1 is loaded into the recorder/player, the shutterreleasing mechanism at the recorder/player side will release the shutterlocking so that the shutter members 5 a and 5 b can be pivoted. As shownin FIG. 17, the lift-up projection 14 slides onto the lift-up projection48, so that the pair of shutter member 5 a and 5 b will be caught atboth the sides thereof between the inner rotor 4 and lower shell 7.Therefore, the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b positively cover theopenings 24 and 44 when the cartridge 1 is not in use. In thiscondition, the optical disc 3 a or 3 c can be introduced into, orremoved from, the disc receptacle 11 a of the cartridge 1 through theinsertion/removal opening 2 a in the upper shell 6.

[0112] Also, the cartridge 1 has constructed in the cartridge body 2thereof the disc receptacle 11 a formed open through theinsertion/removal opening 2 a in the upper shell 6. The disc receptacle11 a is constructed to receive the first optical disc 3 a having thestandard size and also the second optical disc 3 c smaller in diameterthan the first optical disc 3 a as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The discreceptacle 11 a has provided therein a first disc holder 11 b to holdthe first optical disc 3 a concentrically therewith, and a second discholder 11 c to hold the second optical disc 3 c concentricallytherewith. The first disc holder 11 b is defined by the main side of theinner rotor 4 except for the openings 44 and 44 a and the opening wall11 of the upper shell 6, and the second disc holder 11 c is defined in aposition lower than the first disc holder 11 b by the wall of theopening 44 a and shutter members 5 a and 5 b.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 14, the first optical disc 3 a, received in thedisc receptacle 11 a through the insertion/removal opening 2 a, isrotatably held in the first disc holder 11 b defined by the main side ofthe inner rotor 4 in which the opening 44 a is formed and the openingwall 11 of the upper shell 6. That is, the first disc holder 11 bsupports the first optical disc 3 a on the main side of the inner rotor4 in which the opening 44 a is formed and holds it by the opening wall11 of the upper shell 6 not to sway horizontally.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 15, the second optical disc 3 c, received in thedisc receptacle 11 a through the insertion/removal opening 2 a, isrotatably held in the second disc holder 11 c defined by the wall of theopening 44 a formed in the inner rotor 4 and the shutter members 5 a and5 b. That is, the second disc holder 11 c supports the second opticaldisc 3 c on the shutter members 5 a and 5 b exposed to outside throughthe opening 44 a in the inner rotor 4 and holds it by the wall of theopening 44 a not to sway horizontally.

[0115] The cartridge 1 according to the present invention, in which thefirst optical disc 3 a or second optical disc 3 c is inserted by theuser, is loaded into the recorder/player.

[0116] The cartridge 1 constructed as having been described in theforegoing is loaded in a disc recorder/player 70 shown in FIG. 18. Therecorder/player 70 is constructed to receive a disc cartridge havingreceived therein an optical disc equivalent in diameter to the firstoptical disc 3 a. Different from the cartridge 1 according to thepresent invention, the disc cartridge has no disc insertion/removalopening formed in the upper shell thereof. The cartridge 1 according tothe present invention can also be loaded in this recorder/player.

[0117] The recorder/player 70 will be explained herebelow with referenceto FIG. 18. The recorder/player 70 includes a case 71 having disposedtherein a main unit incorporating a loader for the cartridge 1 or disccartridge. The case 71 has formed in the front side thereof a disc slot72 through which the cartridge 1 or disc cartridge is to be inserted orejected. The disc slot 72 is closed by a cover 73. When the cover 73 ispressed by the front end of the cartridge 1, it is pivoted inwardly touncover the disc slot 72. Thus, the cartridge 1 can be introduced intothe disc loader in the case 71.

[0118] The main unit of the recorder/player 70, disposed inside the case71, has a loading mechanism to load the cartridge 1 into the disc loaderas shown in FIG. 19. The cartridge 1, having been inserted first at thefront end thereof into the loading mechanism through the disc slot 72,is automatically pulled to the disc loader. The disc loader includes adisc rotation drive mechanism 74 to rotate the optical disc 3 a or 3 cat CLV (constant linear velocity), CAV (constant angular velocity) or ata combination of them, and optical pickup 75. The disc rotation drivemechanism 74 includes a disc table 76 installed to the drive shaft of aspindle motor rotatably with the drive shaft, a clamping plate to catchthe optical disc 3 a or 3 c and rotate the optical disc along with thedisc table 76, etc. When the cartridge 1 is inserted into place in thedisc loader, the disc table 76 will be engaged in a central hole 3 b or3 c of the optical disc 3 a or 3 c while holding the optical disc 3 a or3 c in cooperation with the clamping plate. Once the spindle motor isput into run, the disc table 76 rotates the optical disc 3 a or 3 c atCLV or CAV.

[0119] The optical pickup 75 converges a light beam of about 400 nm inwavelength, emitted from a semiconductor laser, through an objectivelens, focuses the light beam on the signal recording surface of theoptical disc 3 a or 3 c to write information signal to the optical disc3 a or 3 c and detects a return light reflected from the signalrecording surface to read information signal from the optical disc 3 aor 3 c.

[0120] The disc loader in the recorder/player 70 includes a shutterreleasing member 80 included in a shutter releasing mechanism whichrotates the inner rotor 4 when the cartridge 1 is set in the disc loaderand pivots the shutter members 5 a and 5 b. As shown in FIG. 20, theshutter releasing member 80 includes a rack 81 which is to be in meshwith the geared portion 45 of the inner rotor 4, a first engagementprojection 82 provided at the end of the rack 81 for initial operationof the inner rotor 4, a second engagement projection 83 provided at thebase of the track 81 for stopping the inner rotor 4, etc. The rack 81has generally as many teeth as the geared portion 45 has.

[0121] The first engagement projection 82 is provided at the end of afirst elastic member 84 provided at one end of the rack 81, and thesecond engagement projection 83 is provided at the end of a secondelastic member 85 provided at the other end of the rack 81, such thatthey can positively be engaged in the engagement concavities 41 and 42,respectively, in the inner rotor 4. Such a shutter releasing member 80may be adapted to move straight in relation to the cartridge 1 set inthe disc loader and operate the shutter members 5 a and 5 b.Alternatively, the shutter releasing member 80 may be fixed to the mainunit to operate the shutter members 5 a and 5 b as the cartridge 1 ismoved to the disc loader.

[0122] The cartridge 1 is inserted into the disc slot 72 while pushingat the front end thereof the cover 73 as shown in FIG. 19. Once thecartridge 1 is inserted, the shutter members 5 a and 5 b are pressed bythe cartridge 1 to start being released or opened. First, the shutterreleasing member 80 is engaged in the guide recess 36 in the cartridge 1and the first engagement projection 82 presses the opening projection 32a of the locking member 29, accessible from outside through the lockingopening 35 a formed in the guide recess 36, as shown in FIG. 21. Thus,the locking member 29 pivots about the pivot 25 and stop projection 33 ais disengaged from the second engagement concavity 42 in the inner rotor4. As a result, the inner rotor 4 is unlocked and thus enabled torotate.

[0123] When the shutter releasing member 80 further moves ahead of thecartridge 1, the rack 81 will continuously press the operatingprojection 32 a of the locking member 29, thereby keeping the innerrotor 4 unlocked. As shown in FIG. 23, the first engagement projection82 is engaged in the first engagement concavity 41 exposed to outsidethrough the inner rotor access opening 35 b of the inner rotor 4 to putthe inner rotor 4 in a ready state for rotation. The shutter releasingmember 80 further moves ahead of the cartridge 1 to pivot the innerrotor 4. At this time, the lift-up projections 14 and 48 are disengagedfrom each other as shown in FIG. 22 and thus the friction is reduced,and hence the inner rotor 4 can smoothly be rotated with a small force.The rack 81 of the shutter releasing member 80 is put in mesh with thegeared portion 45 exposed to outside through the inner rotor accessopening 35 b as shown in FIG. 23.

[0124] Having further moved ahead of the cartridge 1, the shutterreleasing member 80 having the rack 81 thereof in mesh with the gearedportion 45 of the inner rotor 4 rotates the inner rotor 4 as shown inFIG. 24. Thus, the guide pin 53 of the inner rotor 4 is engaged in theguide hole 54 so that the shutter members 5 a and 5 b pivoted to thepivots 49 a and 49 b, respectively, will pivot in a direction ofuncovering the openings 24 and 44. When the rack 81 of the shutterreleasing member 80 is disengaged from the geared portion 45 of theinner rotor 4, the shutter members 5 a and 5 b stop pivoting as shown inFIG. 25, and then the second engagement projection 83 of the shutterreleasing member 80 is engaged in the second engagement concavity 42 ofthe inner rotor 4. Thus, the shutter members 5 a and 5 b are kept tofully uncover the openings 24 and 44.

[0125] Thereafter, the disc table 76 included in the disc rotation drivemechanism 74 enters through the opening 24 b, is engaged into thecentral hole 3 b or 3 d of the optical disc 3 a or 3 c and cooperateswith the clamping plate to clamp the optical disc 3 a or 3 c rotatably.Also, the optical pickup 75 enters through the opening 24 a. Thus, theoptical disc 3 a or 3 c is rotated by the disc rotation drive mechanism74. A light beam is projected from the optical pickup 75 to the opticaldisc 3 a or 3 c at the signal recording surface thereof for writinginformation signal to the optical disc 3 a or 3 c. A return lightreflected from the signal recording surface is detected for readinginformation signal from the optical disc 3 a or 3 c.

[0126] On the other hand, to remove the cartridge 1 from inside therecorder/player 70, the user operates the eject button included in acontrol unit, for example, provided on the recorder/player. Thus, theloading mechanism ejects the cartridge 1. The cartridge 1 will move tothe disc slot 72, while the aforementioned shutter releasing member 80will correspondingly retreat in relation to the cartridge 1. Along withthe retreat of the shutter releasing member 80, the inner rotor 4 andpair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b will reversely take the steps theyhave taken for inserting the optical disc. That is, the inner rotor 4will rotate reversely and the pair of shutter members 5 a and 5 b willcover the openings 24 and 44 in the cartridge body 2.

[0127] The cartridge 1 permits the user to freely replace the opticaldiscs 3 a and 3 c through the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a formedin the main side of the upper shell 6. Since the cartridge 1 receivesthe optical disc 3 a or 3 c through the insertion/removal opening 2 awith the signal recording surface directed down oppositely to theinsertion/removal opening 2 a, it is possible to prevent any fingerprintor the like from adhering to the signal recording surface of the opticaldisc 3 a or 3 c being handled. The cartridge 1 permits to use theoptical disc 3 a or 3 c normally used, not encased in any cartridge orthe like, in a recorder/player 70 dedicated for a disc cartridge havingan optical disc encased therein in advance. Since the cartridge 1 can beproduced following almost same manufacturing procedure for a disccartridge, it can be manufactured in a disc cartridge production line.

[0128] Note that as shown in FIG. 26, a come-off preventive mechanism 91may be provided in a plurality of places around the insertion/removalopening 2 a of the upper shell 6 included in the cartridge 1 to preventthe first optical disc 3 a held in the first disc holder 11 b fromcoming off. The come-off preventive mechanism 91 is provided in threeplaces around the insertion/removal opening 2 a. Each of the come-offpreventive mechanisms 91 is formed integrally with the opening wall 11as shown in FIG. 27 to avoid an increased number of cartridge parts. Thecome-off preventive mechanism 91 includes a come-off preventive piece 92to prevent the first optical disc 3 a from coming off the first discholder 11 b, and elastically flexible pieces 93 to couple the come-offpreventive piece 92 and opening wall 11 with each other. The come-offpreventive piece 92 is provided projecting toward the perimeter of theinsertion/removal opening 2 a to catch the perimeter of the firstoptical disc 3 a held in the first disc holder 11 b. The end top of thecome-off preventive piece 92 is tapered, and an insertion guide 94 isprovided on the end top to guide the first optical disc 3 a beinginserted into the disc receptacle 11 a. The two elastically flexiblepieces 93 are provided across the come-off preventive piece 92 to couplethe latter to the opening wall 11. When inserting the first optical disc3 a, the elastically flexible pieces 93 will be moved outwardly of thedisc receptacle 11 a and the come-off preventive piece 92 move towardthe perimeter of the insertion/removal opening 2 a, thus permitting toreceive the first optical disc 3 a in the disc receptacle 11 a.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 28, when the insertion guide 94 is pressed bythe perimeter of the first optical disc 3 a being inserted, theelastically flexible pieces 93 are moved and thus the come-offpreventive piece 92 is provisionally moved toward the perimeter of theinsertion/removal opening 2 a against the elasticity of the elasticallyflexible pieces 93. Thus, the first optical disc 3 a can be receivedinto the disc receptacle 11 a.

[0130] Note that the optical disc 3 a or 3 c will possibly have thesignal recording surface thereof stained and/or damaged if it isrepeatedly inserted into, and removed from, the cartridge 1. To preventthe optical disc from being stained and/or damaged at the signalrecording surface thereof due to such repeated insertion and removal,the optical disc 3 a or 3 c once received in the disc receptacle 11 ashould desirably be not easily removable from the cartridge 1. To thisend, the come-off preventive mechanism 91 to prevent at least the firstoptical disc 3 a from coming off is constructed as follows. Namely, itsend top is tapered as the insertion guide 94 and its surface forcatching the first optical disc 3 a is made flat in parallel to theoptical disc 3 a, so that once the first optical disc 3 a is received inthe disc receptacle 11 a, the come-off preventive piece 92 will noteasily be movable toward the perimeter of the insertion/removal opening2 a against the elasticity of the elastically flexible pieces 93 andthus the first optical disc 3 a cannot easily be taken out of the discreceptacle 11 a.

[0131] Note that in the foregoing, the present invention has beenexplained concerning the embodiment thereof provided with the threecome-off preventive mechanisms 91 but the come-off preventive mechanism91 may be provided in one place, or in a plurality of places to preventthe optical disc 3 a more positively from coming off.

[0132] The come-off preventive mechanism for the first optical disc 3 areceived in the disc receptacle 11 a may be adapted as shown in FIGS. 29to 31. As shown, the come-off preventive mechanism generally indicatedwith a reference 101 is provided in three places around theinsertion/removal opening 2 a. Each of the come-off preventingmechanisms 101 includes a receiver 102 formed in the wall of theinsertion/removal opening 2 a and a come-off preventive member 103received in the receiver 102.

[0133] The come-off preventive member 103 is composed of a come-offpreventive piece 104 to catch the perimeter of the first optical disc 3a held in the first disc holder 11 b of the disc receptacle 11 a andthus prevent the first optical disc 3 a from coming off the discreceptacle 11 a, elastically flexible pieces 105 to limit the movementof the come-off preventive member 103, and an operating piece 106 tooperate the come-off preventive member 103. The elastically flexiblepieces 105 are formed to elastically move inwardly, and each of them hasan engagement portion 107 provided on the free end thereof.

[0134] The receiver 102 to receive the come-off preventive member 103 isformed to such a size that the come-off preventive piece 104 projectstoward the insertion/removal opening 2 a and can be moved between acome-off preventive position in which it catches the perimeter of thefirst optical disc 3 a held in the first disc holder 11 b of the discreceptacle 11 a and a disc insertion/removal position where the come-offpreventive piece 104 retreats from the insertion/removal opening 2 a andthe first optical disc 3 a can be inserted or removed. The come-offpreventive member 103 received in the receiver 102 has the operatingpiece 106 thereof exposed to outside through an access hole 108 formedin the upper shell 6. The engagement portion 107 of each elasticallyflexible piece 105 is selectively engaged in either a first engagementconcavity 109 or second engagement concavity 110 formed in the receiver102. Between the first and second engagement concavities 109 and 110,there is provided a projection 111 which clicks when overridden by theengagement portion 107.

[0135] In the come-off preventive mechanism 101, when the first opticaldisc 3 a is inserted into, or removed from, the cartridge 1, theoperating piece 106 exposed to outside through the access hole 108 ismoved toward the wall of the insertion/removal opening 2 a forengagement of the engagement portion 107 into the second engagementconcavity 110. Thus, the come-off preventive member 103 is held in theinsertion/removal position where the come-off preventive piece 104 hasretreated from the insertion/removal opening 2 a and the optical disc 3a can be inserted or removed. Namely, the first optical disc 3 a can beinserted into, or removed from, the cartridge 1. Once the optical disc 3a is inserted into the disc receptacle 11 a, when the operating piece106 exposed to outside through the access hole 108 is moved toward theinsertion/removal opening 2 a, the engagement portion 107 moves from thesecond engagement concavity 110 to the first engagement concavity 109.When overriding the projection 111, the engagement portion 107 willclick. When the engagement portion 107 is engaged in the firstengagement concavity 109, the come-off preventive member 103 is held inthe come-off preventive position where the come-off preventive piece 104projects toward the insertion/removal opening 2 a.

[0136] In case the come-off preventive mechanism 101 is provided in aplurality of places so that even if one of the come-off preventivemembers 103 is moved erroneously to the disc insertion/removal position,the other come-off preventive members 103 will stay in their respectivecome-off preventive positions, it is possible to prevent the firstoptical disc 3 a from erroneously coming off the disc receptacle 11 a.

[0137] The cartridge 1 may have provided on the cartridge body 2 thereofa cover which covers the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a to preventthe first or second optical disc 3 a or 3 c received in the discreceptacle 11 a from coming off. More specifically, the upper shell 6 ofthe cartridge body 2 has a cover 116 installed thereon as shown in FIGS.32 and 33. The cover 116 is formed to have a generally same size as theinsertion/removal opening 2 a and has a rising wall 117 provided alongthe perimeter thereof. Such a cover 116 is pivoted to a pivot 118provided at the rear side of the cartridge body 2, and thus it issupported pivotally on the cartridge body 2. When the cover 116 coversthe insertion/removal opening 2 a, the opening wall 11 and rising wall117 overlap each other, whereby any foreign matter such as dust will noteasily enter the disc receptacle 11 a. The cover 116 may be adapted tobe forced by an forcing means such as a spring in a direction ofuncovering the insertion/removal opening 2 a. Since the cover 116 coversthe insertion/removal opening 2 a, it is possible to prevent the opticaldisc, 3 a or 3 c, once received in the disc receptacle 11 a from comingoff there.

[0138] Note that the cover 116 may has a window 134 which permits toview the optical disc 3 a or 3 c in the disc receptacle 11 a through it.Also, there may be provided on the cover 116 a marking 135 such as anarrow to indicate the direction of insertion of the cartridge 1 into therecorder/player 70.

[0139] As shown in FIGS. 32 to 35, the cartridge 1 has a lockingmechanism 121 to hold the cover 116 in a position where it covers theinsertion/removal opening 2 a. The locking mechanism 121 is provided intwo places around the insertion/removal opening 2 a. Each of theselocking mechanisms 121 includes a receiver 122 formed in the wall of theinsertion/removal opening 2 a and an operating member 123 received inthe receiver 122 to open and close the cover 116.

[0140] The cover operating member 123 consists of a tab 124 operable bythe user, a first elastically flexible piece 125 to lock the cover 116,and a second elastically flexible piece 126 to hold the operating member123 in a predetermined position.

[0141] The tab 124 is exposed to outside through a generally rectangularaccess hole 127 formed in the top of the upper shell 6. Also, the firstelastically flexible piece 125 has formed at the end thereof a lockingportion 129 which is engaged in an engagement hole 128 formed in therising wall 117 of the cover 116. Also, the second elastically flexiblepiece 126 has an engagement portion 130 formed at the end thereof. Theengagement portion 130 is selectively engaged in a first engagementconcavity 131 destined for holding the operating member 123 provided inthe receiver 122 in a locking position where the locking portion 129 isengaged in the engagement hole 128, and a second engagement concavity132 destined for holding the operating member 123 in an unlockingposition where the locking portion 129 having unlocked the cover 116 isnot engaged in the engagement hole 128. Between the first and secondengagement concavities 131 and 132, there is provided a projection 133which clicks when it is overridden by the engagement portion 130.

[0142] When the cover 116 is being locked to cover the insertion/removalopening 2 a, the locking portion 129 of the first elastically flexiblepiece 125 is engaged in the engagement hole 128 in the rising wall 117of the cover 116, while the engagement portion 130 of the secondelastically flexible piece 126 is engaged in the first engagementconcavity 131 to hold the operating member 123 in the locking position,as shown in FIG. 35. When the tab 124 exposed to outside through theaccess hole 127 is moved in the direction of arrow in FIG. 34 in orderto unlock the cover 116, the engagement portion 130 overrides theprojection 133 against the elasticity of the second elastically flexiblepiece 126 and gets engaged into the second engagement concavity 132,while the first elastically flexible piece 125 is moved toward the tab124 and the locking portion 129 gets disengaged from the engagement hole128. At this time, the engagement portion 130 overrides the projection133 to click. Thus, the user can know that the operating member 123 hasbeen moved from one to another position.

[0143] The locking mechanism 121 can be provided in a plurality ofplaces such that even when one of the operating members 123 iserroneously moved from the locking position to the unlocking position,the other operating members 123 will stay in their respective lockingpositions to prevent the cover 116 from wrongly uncovering theinsertion/removal opening 2 a, and thus the optical disc 3 a or 3 c willnot come off the disc receptacle 11 a. Near the access hole 127, theremay be provided a marking 136 indicating a direction of moving theoperating member 123 for locking the cover 116, for example. Thedirection of moving the operating member 123 may be opposite to a oneshown herein.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the opening 24 is formed to extend fromthe front toward the center of the cartridge body 2. However, thepresent invention can be applied to a cartridge 140 shown in FIGS. 36 to38. The cartridge 140 has formed therein an opening 141 extendinggenerally in parallel to the direction of insertion into therecorder/player 70 from the front to the rear thereof. Morespecifically, the opening 141 is formed in the bottom of the cartridge 1to have a generally rectangular shape extending from near the frontcenter to near the rear center. The front and rear portions of theopening 141 are used as write/read openings 141 a and 141 b the opticalpickup enters, and the central portion of the opening 141 is used as adrive opening 141 c the disc rotation drive mechanism enters. Thecartridge 140 has provided therein an inner rotor 142 having formedtherein an opening 143 corresponding to the opening 141 and having agenerally same radial size as the opening 141. The opening 143 has, nearthe center thereof, an opening 144 which holds the second optical disc 3c. It should be noted that the other construction of this cartridge 140is common to that of the aforementioned cartridge 1 and so will not beexplained in detail. Also note that the same or similar elements of thiscartridge 140 as or to those of the aforementioned cartridge 1 will beindicated with the same or similar references.

[0145] The cartridge 140 has formed therein the disc receptacle 11 ainto which the first optical disc 3 a of the standard size or the secondoptical disc 3 c whose diameter is smaller than that of the firstoptical disc 3 a is inserted through the insertion/removal opening 2 aformed in the upper shell 6. The first optical disc 3 a received in thedisc receptacle 11 a through the insertion/removal opening 2 a will berotatably held in the first disc holder 11 b defined by the main side ofthe inner rotor 142 in which the openings 143 and 144 are formed and theopening wall 11. More particularly, the first disc holder 11 b supportsthe first optical disc 3 a on the main side thereof in which theopenings 143 and 144 are formed and holds it by the opening wall 11 notto sway horizontally.

[0146] The second optical disc 3 c received in the disc receptacle 11 athrough the insertion/removal opening 2 a will be rotatably held in thesecond disc holder 11 c defined by the wall of the opening 144 formed inthe main side of the inner rotor 142 and the shutter members 5 a and 5b. More particularly, the second disc holder 11 c supports the secondoptical disc 3 c on the shutter members 5 a and 5 b exposed to outsidethrough the opening 144 in the inner rotor 142 and holds it by the wallof the opening 144 not to sway horizontally.

[0147] In the cartridge 140 loaded in the recorder/player, the shuttermembers 5 a and 5 b are opened by the shutter releasing mechanism of therecorder/player, thus the opening 141 is uncovered and the optical disc3 a or 3 c is exposed to outside. Then the optical disc 3 a or 3 c isclamped and rotated by the disc rotation drive mechanism in therecorder/player, having entered the cartridge 1 through the opening 141c. Also, the optical pickup enters the opening 141 a or 141 b.Projecting a light beam to the optical disc 3 a or 3 c, the opticalpickup writes information signal to the optical disc 3 a or 3 c.projects a light beam to the optical disc 3 a or 3 c. Detecting a returnlight reflected from the signal recording surface of the optical disc 3a or 3 c, the optical pickup reads information signal from the opticaldisc 3 a or 3 c. Since the cartridge 140 allows to use two opticalpickups for write and read of information signal, it will make itpossible to write and read information signal in a reduced length oftime.

[0148] In the foregoing, there has been described a variant of thecartridge having the opening 44 a formed in the inner rotor 4 anddefining the second disc holder 11 c in which the second optical disc 3c is held. However, the inner rotor 4 may have the second disc holder 11c defined by a concavity. More specifically, the inner rotor 4 hasformed in the main side thereof at the side of the upper shell 6 asecond disc holder 150 defined by a generally circular concavity to holdthe second optical disc 3 c, as shown in FIG. 39. The concavity definingthe second disc holder 150 is formed to have a somewhat larger size thanthat of the second optical disc 3 c for smooth insertion and removal ofthe second optical disc 3 c. It should be noted that the otherconstruction of the inner rotor 4 in this cartridge is the same as thatof the aforementioned inner rotor 4 and so will not be explained indetail.

[0149] As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the cartridge 140 including theabove inner rotor 4 has defined in the cartridge body 2 the discreceptacle 11 a which receives, through the insertion/removal opening 2a in the upper shell 6, the first optical disc 3 a of the standard sizeor the second optical disc 3 c whose diameter is smaller than that ofthe first optical disc 3 a. The disc receptacle 11 a has formed thereinthe first disc holder 11 b to hold the first optical disc 3 a and thesecond disc holder 150 to hold the second optical disc 3 c, the firstand second disc holders 11 b and 150 being concentrical with each other.The first disc holder 11 b is defined by the main side of the innerrotor 4 except for the openings 44 and 44 a and the opening wall 11,while the second disc holder 150 is defined by the concavity formed inthe inner rotor 4 at the side of the upper shell 6.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 40, the first optical disc 3 a received in thedisc receptacle 11 a through the insertion/removal opening 2 a will berotatably held in the first disc holder 11 b defined by the main side ofthe inner rotor 4 in which the opening 44 a is formed and the openingwall 11. More particularly, the first disc holder 11 b supports thefirst optical disc 3 a on the main side of the inner rotor 4 in whichthe opening 44 a is formed and holds it by the opening wall 11 not tosway horizontally.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 41, the second optical disc 3 c received in thedisc receptacle 11 a through the insertion/removal opening 2 a will berotatably held in the second disc holder 150 defined by the concavityformed in the main side of the inner rotor 4. More particularly, thesecond disc holder 150 supports the second optical disc 3 c on thebottom thereof and holds it by the wall thereof not to swayhorizontally.

[0152] Note that the inner rotor 4 may have provided around theconcavity defining the second disc holder 150 the come-off preventivemechanisms 91 as shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 or the ones 101 shown in FIGS.29 to 31 to prevent the second optical disc 3 c held in the second discholder 150 from coming off. In case there are provided the cover 116 andlocking mechanism 121 shown in FIGS. 32 to 35, it is possible to preventthe first optical disc 3 a held in the first disc holder 11 b fromcoming off and the second optical disc 3 c held in the second discholder 150 from coming off.

[0153] According to the present invention, the inner rotor 4 may be usedin the aforementioned cartridge 140.

[0154] The aforementioned cartridges 1 and 140 are designed to haveselectively held therein the first and second optical discs 3 a and 3 cdifferent in diameter from each other. However, the cartridge accordingto the present invention may be adapted to encase only the secondoptical disc 3 c of the small diameter.

[0155] According to the present invention, there can be provided acartridge for encasing only the second optical disc 3 c and loadableinto the aforementioned recorder/player 70 as will be describedherebelow. The cartridge of this type is generally indicated with areference 200. The same or similar elements of the cartridge 200 as orto those of the aforementioned cartridges 1 and 140 will be indicatedwith the same or similar references, and will not be explained indetail. The cartridge 200 uses only the second disc holder 11 c formedwithin the disc receptacle 11 a defined by the opening wall 11 of thecartridge body 2 and the main side of the inner rotor 4. That is, thissecond disc holder 11 c is defined by the opening 44 a formed in themain side of the rotor 4 and the shutter members 5 a and 5 b disposed tocover the opening 44 a. The cartridge 200 is not intended to use thefirst disc holder 11 b to hold any optical disc, and so it can be usedfor any other purpose than holding the optical disc. For example, acome-off preventive mechanism to prevent the second optical disc 3 cheld in the second disc holder 11 c from coming off may be providedaround the opening 44 a of the inner rotor 4.

[0156] The cartridge 200 encasing the second optical disc 3 c andpermitting to load the disc 3 c into the recorder/player 70 will bedescribed herebelow:

[0157] The cartridge 200 intended primarily for encasing the secondoptical disc 3 c is basically similar to the cartridge 1 for selectivelyencasing the aforementioned first and second optical discs 3 a and 3 c.So, the same or similar elements of the cartridge 200 as or to those ofthe cartridge 1 will be indicated with the same or similar referencesand will not be explained in detail.

[0158] The cartridge 200 is provided with come-off preventive mechanisms191 to prevent the small-diameter second optical disc 3 c held in thesecond disc holder 11 c from coming off.

[0159] The come-off preventive mechanisms 191 are provided around theopening 44 a in the inner rotor 4 that defines the second disc holder 11b as shown in FIG. 42. The come-off preventive mechanism 191 is providedin three places around the insertion/removal opening 2 a. Each of thecome-off preventive mechanisms 191 is formed integrally with the mainside of the inner rotor 4 as shown in FIG. 43, which is intended againstany increased number of parts. Each of the come-off preventivemechanisms 191 includes a come-off preventive piece 192 to prevent thesecond optical disc 3 c held in the second disc holder 11 c from comingoff, and elastically flexible pieces 193 to couple the come-offpreventive piece 192 and main side of the inner rotor 4 with each other.The come-off preventive piece 192 is provided to project toward theinsertion/removal opening 2 a to catch the perimeter of the secondoptical disc 3 c held in the second disc holder 11 c. The end top of thecome-off preventive piece 192 is tapered, and an insertion guide 194 isprovided on the tapered end top to guide the second optical disc 3 cbeing inserted into the second disc holder 11 c. Across the come-offpreventive piece 192, there are provided the elastically flexible pieces193 which couple the come-off preventive piece 192 to the main side ofthe inner rotor 4. When the second optical disc 3 c is inserted, theelastically flexible pieces 193 are moved outwardly of the second discholder 11 c while the come-off preventive piece 192 is moved outwardlyof the opening 44 a, so that the second optical disc 3 c can be insertedinto the opening 44 a.

[0160] When the insertion guide 194 is pressed by the perimeter of thesecond optical disc 3 c being inserted, the elastically flexible pieces193 are moved and the come-off preventive piece 192 is provisionallymoved outwardly of the second disc holder 11 c against the elasticity ofthe elastically flexible pieces 193, as shown in FIG. 44. Thus, thesecond optical disc 3 c will be held in the second disc holder 11 c.

[0161] Note that the second optical disc 3 c will possibly have thesignal recording surface thereof stained and/or damaged if it isrepeatedly inserted into, and removed from, the cartridge 200. Toprevent the optical disc from being stained and/or damaged at the signalrecording surface thereof due to such repeated insertion and removal,the second optical disc 3 c once received in the second disc holder 11 cshould desirably be not easily removable from the cartridge 200. To thisend, the come-off preventive mechanism 191 to prevent at least thesecond optical disc 3 c from coming off is constructed as follows.Namely, its end top is tapered as the insertion guide 194 and itssurface for catching the second optical disc 3 c is made flat inparallel to the second optical disc 3 c, so that once the second opticaldisc 3 c is received in the second disc holder 11 c of the discreceptacle 11 a, the come-off preventive piece 192 will not easily bemovable toward the perimeter of the second disc holder 11 c against theelasticity of the elastically flexible pieces 193 and thus the secondoptical disc 3 c cannot easily be taken out of the second disc holder 11c.

[0162] Note that in the foregoing, the present invention has beenexplained concerning an variant thereof provided with the three come-offpreventive mechanisms 191 but the come-off preventive mechanism 191 maybe provided in one place, or in the plurality of places to prevent thesecond optical disc 3 c more positively from coming off.

[0163] The come-off preventive mechanism for the second optical disc 3 creceived in the second disc holder 11 c may be adapted as shown in FIGS.45 to 47. As shown, the come-off preventive mechanism generallyindicated with a reference 201 is provided in three places around thesecond disc holder 11 c. Each of the come-off preventive mechanisms 201includes a receiver 202 formed in the wall of the opening 44 a and acome-off preventive member 203 received in the receiver 202.

[0164] The come-off preventive member 203 is composed of a come-offpreventive piece 204 to catch the perimeter of the second optical disc 3c held in the second disc holder 11 c and thus prevent the secondoptical disc 3 c from coming off the second disc holder 11 c,elastically flexible pieces 205 to limit the movement of the come-offpreventive member 203, and an operating piece 206 to operate thecome-off preventive member 203. The elastically flexible pieces 205 areformed to elastically move inwardly, and each of them has an engagementportion 207 provided on the free end thereof.

[0165] The receiver 202 to receive the come-off preventive member 203 isformed to such a size that the come-off preventive piece 204 projectstoward the second disc holder 11 c and can be moved between a come-offpreventive position in which it catches the perimeter of the secondoptical disc 3 c held in the second disc holder 11 c and a discinsertion/removal position where the come-off preventive piece 204retreats from the second disc holder 11 c and the second optical disc 3c can be inserted or removed. The come-off preventive member 203received in the receiver 202 has the operating piece 206 thereof exposedto outside through an access hole 208 formed in the main side of theinner rotor 4. The engagement portion 207 of each elastically flexiblepiece 205 is selectively engaged in either a first engagement concavity209 or second engagement concavity 210 formed in the receiver 202.Between the first and second engagement concavities 209 and 210, thereis provided a projection 211 which clicks when overridden by theengagement portion 207.

[0166] In the come-off preventive mechanism 201, when the second opticaldisc 3 c is inserted into, or removed from, the cartridge 200, theoperating piece 206 exposed to outside through the access hole 208 ismoved toward the wall of the second disc holder 11 c for engagement ofthe engagement portion 207 into the second engagement concavity 210.Thus, the come-off preventive member 203 is held in theinsertion/removal position where the come-off preventive piece 204 hasretreated from the second disc holder 11 c and the optical disc 3 c canbe inserted or removed. Namely, the second optical disc 3 c can beinserted into, or removed from, the cartridge 200. Once the secondoptical disc 3 c is inserted into the second disc holder 11 c, when theoperating piece 206 exposed to outside through the access hole 208 ismoved toward the insertion/removal opening 2 a, the engagement portion207 moves from the second engagement concavity 210 to the firstengagement concavity 209. When overriding the projection 211, theengagement portion 207 will click. When the engagement portion 207 isengaged in the first engagement concavity 209, the come-off preventivemember 203 is held in the come-off preventive position where thecome-off preventive piece 204 projects toward the second disc holder 11c. In case the come-off preventive mechanism 201 is provided in aplurality of places so that even if one of the come-off preventivemembers 203 is moved erroneously to the disc insertion/removal position,the other come-off preventive members 203 will stay in their respectivecome-off preventive positions, it is possible to prevent the secondoptical disc 3 c from erroneously coming off the second disc holder 11c.

[0167] The cartridge 200 may also have provided on the cartridge body 2thereof a cover which covers the disc insertion/removal opening 2 a toprevent the second optical disc 3 c held in the second disc holder 11 cfrom coming off.

[0168] The present invention has been described concerning the cartridgeembodiments each for encasing an optical disc. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the aforementioned optical disc but can beapplied widely to cartridges which permit to load any other bareinformation recording medium, namely, an information recording mediumnormally used, not encased in any cartridge or the like, into a recorderand/or player dedicated for use with a disc cartridge.

[0169] In the foregoing, the present invention has been described indetail concerning certain preferred embodiments thereof as examples withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understoodby those ordinarily skilled in the art that the present invention is notlimited to the embodiments but can be modified in various manners,constructed alternatively or embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit thereof as set forth and defined inthe appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0170] According to the present invention, the cartridge has aninsertion/removal opening formed in the main side of the upper shell,through which first and second recording medium of different diameterscan be freely inserter into, or removed from, the cartridge body, thefirst recording medium holder in which the first recording medium is tobe held and the second recording medium holder in which the secondrecording medium is to be held. The cartridge having the first recordingmedium held in the first recording medium holder or second recordingmedium held in the second recording medium holder can be loaded into therecorder and/or player to write information signal to the first orsecond recording medium and also read information signal from the firstor second recording medium. Since in the cartridge according to thepresent invention, the structure including the shutter members etc. iscommon to a recording-medium cartridge (having a recording mediumpre-encased therein), the cartridge can be loaded into a recorder and/orplayer dedicated for use with such a recording-medium cartridge.Further, the cartridge according to the present invention has thegenerally same construction as that of the recording medium cartridge ofwhich the recording medium once encased therein is not replaceable withanother, it can easily be manufactured using the same assembling linefor the recording-medium cartridge.

1. A cartridge for encasing either of a first recording medium and asecond recording medium different in diameter from the first recordingmedium, the cartridge comprising: a cartridge body consisting of anupper shell and lower shell, butted to each other, the upper shellhaving formed in the main side thereof an insertion/removal openingsomewhat larger than the first recording medium and through which thefirst and second recording media are to be inserted and/or removed andthe lower shell having a first opening formed therein; a middle shellhaving the main side thereof exposed to outside through theinsertion/removal opening in the upper shell of the cartridge body,defining together with the insertion/removal opening a recording mediumreceptacle which selectively receives the first and second recordingmedia, having formed therein a second opening corresponding to the firstopening in the lower shell of the cartridge body and which is rotatablyreceived in the cartridge body; and a pair of shutter members installedto the middle shell at the side of the lower shell side and whichuncovers the first and second openings when the middle shell rotatesuntil the first and second openings are aligned with each other; therecording medium receptacle including a first recording medium holder inwhich the first recording medium is rotatably held and a secondrecording medium holder in which the second recording medium isrotatably held, the first and second recording medium holders beingprovided concentrically with each other.
 2. The cartridge as set forthin claim 1, wherein the first recording medium holder is formed in themain side of the middle shell; and the second recording medium holder isformed in a position lower than the first recording medium holder. 3.The cartridge as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second recordingmedium holder is defined by a third opening having a somewhat largerdiameter than the second recording medium and through which the shuttermembers provided over the main side of the middle shell are exposed tooutside.
 4. The cartridge as set forth in claim 2, wherein the secondrecording medium holder is defined by a concavity formed in the mainside of the middle shell, having a somewhat larger diameter than thesecond recording medium and of which the depth is smaller than itssurrounding.
 5. The cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein come-offpreventive mechanisms are provided around the insertion/removal openingin the upper shell to prevent the first recording medium held in thefirst recording medium holder from coming off; each of the come-offpreventive mechanisms being composed of an insertion guide to guide thefirst recording medium being inserted into the first recording mediumholder, and a come-off preventive piece to prevent the first recordingmedium held in the first recording medium from coming off, the come-offpreventive piece being formed integrally on contact with elasticallyflexible pieces which are elastically moved radially of the recordingmedium receptacle.
 6. The cartridge as set forth in claim 5, wherein thecome-off preventive mechanism is provided in a plurality of placesaround the insertion/removal opening.
 7. The cartridge as set forth inclaim 1, wherein come-off preventive mechanisms are provided around theinsertion/removal opening in the upper shell to prevent the firstrecording medium held in the first recording medium holder from comingoff; the come-off preventive mechanism including a come-off preventivemember to prevent the first recording medium held in the first recordingmedium holder from coming off, the come-off preventive member beingreceived in a receiver formed in the wall of the insertion/removalopening in the upper shell; the come-off preventive member including acome-off preventive piece to prevent the first recording medium held inthe first recording medium holder from coming off, elastically flexiblepieces each having an engagement portion formed at one end thereof, andan operating piece to move the come-off preventive piece between acome-off preventive position where the come-off preventive mechanism isto prevent the first recording medium held in the first recording mediumfrom coming off and an access position in which the first recordingmedium is to be inserted and/or removed; and the receiver including afirst engagement concavity in which the engagement portion is engagedwhen the come-off preventive member is held in the come-off preventiveposition, and a second engagement concavity in which the engagementportion is engaged when the come-off preventive member is held in theaccess position.
 8. The cartridge as set forth in claim 7, wherein thecome-off preventive mechanism is provided in a plurality of placesaround the insertion/removal opening in the upper shell.
 9. Thecartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cartridge body isprovided with a cover which covers and uncovers the insertion/removalopening.
 10. The cartridge as set forth in claim 9, further comprising alocking mechanism to lock the cover in a position where the cover is tocover the insertion/removal opening; the locking mechanism having acover operating member disposed in the receiver formed in the wall ofthe insertion/removal opening in the upper shell; the cover operatingmember including a first elastically flexible piece having provided atan end thereof a locking portion which is engaged on the engagementpiece on the cover, a second elastically flexible piece having anengagement portion provided at an end thereof, and an operating portionwhich moves the cover operating member between a locking position inwhich the locking portion is engaged on the engagement piece and anunlocking position in which the locking portion is not engaged on theengagement piece; and the receiver including a first engagementconcavity in which the engagement portion is engaged when the coveroperating member is held in the locking position, and a secondengagement concavity in which the engagement portion is engaged when thecover operating member is held in the unlocking position.
 11. Thecartridge as set forth in claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism isprovided in a plurality of places around the insertion/removal opening.12. A cartridge for a recording medium smaller in diameter than arecording medium of a standard size, the cartridge comprising: acartridge body consisting of an upper shell and lower shell, butted toeach other, the upper shell having formed in the main side thereof aninsertion/removal opening through which a small-diameter recordingmedium larger than at least the small-diameter recording medium isinserted and/or removed and the lower shell having a first openingformed therein; a middle shell having the main side thereof exposed tooutside through the insertion/removal opening in the upper shell, havinga second opening formed in the main side thereof correspondingly to thefirst opening in the lower shell and which is rotatably received in thecartridge body; and a pair of shutter members installed to the middleshell at the side of the lower shell side and which uncovers the firstand second openings when the middle shell rotates until the first andsecond openings are aligned with each other; there being formed in themain side of the middle shell a recording medium holder in which asmall-diameter recording medium is rotatably held.
 13. The cartridge asset forth in claim 12, wherein the recording medium holder is defined bya third opening through which the shutter members provided on the mainside of the middle shell are exposed to outside.
 14. The cartridge asset forth in claim 12, wherein the recording medium holder is defined bya concavity formed in the main side of the middle shell and having asomewhat larger diameter than the small-diameter recording medium. 15.The cartridge as set forth in claim 12, wherein: come-off preventivemechanisms are provided around the insertion/removal opening to preventthe small-diameter recording medium held in the recording medium holderfrom coming off; each of the come-off preventive mechanisms beingcomposed of an insertion guide to guide the small-diameter recordingmedium being inserted into the recording medium holder, and a come-offpreventive piece to prevent the small-diameter recording medium held inthe recording medium from coming off, the come-off preventive piecebeing provided on contact with elastically flexible pieces which areelastically moved radially of the recording medium receptacle.
 16. Thecartridge as set forth in claim 15, wherein the come-off preventivemechanism is provided in a plurality of places around theinsertion/removal opening.
 17. The cartridge as set forth in claim 12,wherein come-off preventive mechanisms are provided around the recordingmedium receptacle to prevent the small-diameter recording medium held inthe recording medium holder from coming off; the come-off preventivemechanism including a come-off preventive member disposed in the middleshell to prevent the small-diameter recording medium held in therecording medium holder from coming off; the come-off preventive memberincluding a come-off preventive piece to prevent the small-diameterrecording medium held in the recording medium holder from coming off,elastically flexible pieces each having an engagement portion formed atone end thereof, and an operating piece to move the come-off preventivepiece between a come-off preventive position in which the small-diameterrecording medium held in the recording medium is prevented from comingoff and an access position in which the small-diameter recording mediumis allowed to be inserted and/or removed; and the engagement portionbeing engaged into a first engagement concavity formed in the middleshell when the come-off preventive member is held in the come-offpreventive position, and in a second engagement concavity formed also inthe middle shell when the come-off preventive member is held in theaccess position.
 18. The cartridge as set forth in claim 17, wherein thecome-off preventive mechanism is provided in a plurality of placesaround the recording medium holder.
 19. The cartridge as set forth inclaim 12, wherein the cartridge body is provided with a cover whichcovers and uncovers the insertion/removal opening.
 20. The cartridge asset forth in claim 19, further comprising a locking mechanism to lockthe cover in a position where the cover covers the insertion/removalopening; the locking mechanism having a cover operating member disposedin a receiver formed in the wall of the insertion/removal opening in theupper shell; the cover operating member including a first elasticallyflexible piece having provided at an end thereof a locking portion whichis engaged on the engagement piece on the cover, a second elasticallyflexible piece having an engagement portion provided at an end thereof,and an operating portion which moves the cover operating member betweena locking position in which the locking portion is engaged on theengagement piece and an unlocking position in which the locking portionis not engaged on the engagement piece; and the receiver including afirst engagement concavity in which the engagement portion is engagedwhen the cover operating member is held in the locking position, and asecond engagement concavity in which the engagement portion is engagedwhen the cover operating member is held in the unlocking position. 21.The cartridge as set forth in claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism isprovided in a plurality of places around the insertion/removal openingin the upper shell.